First Time's the Charm
A newbie's guide to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

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Ask any pilot in the world about "Oshkosh" and you'll either get a lustful promise to attend one day or an encyclopedia of stories from each year he or she has made the pilgrimage. Indeed, the Experimental Aircraft Association's annual convention, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, is a special place for aviation enthusiasts.

There's really no place in the world like it, which is why, if you're new here, you're probably a little befuddled right now. With so much to see and do, EAA AirVenture can be a little overwhelming, especially if you're not already an EAA member, or you're not traveling with friends who do know the ropes.

No worries, though. With a little background, this will all make sense. Before long, you'll be an Oshkosh veteran, regaling your friends with stories from the world's greatest aviation event.

Deep to its soul, EAA AirVenture is the annual convention of the EAA, a grass-roots aviation organization dedicated to keeping aviation fun, accessible, and safe. This is the 53rd time the family of EAA members has held its annual gathering and invited the aviation world to participate. During the last week of July every year, Wittman Regional Airport becomes a magical place where innovation, experimentation, and imagination aren't just buzzwords on television commercials. They're words that actually describe these average-Joe rocket scientists.

EAA is about participating in aviation, not just talking about it, and at EAA AirVenture are representatives from just about every aspect of aviation, from NASA and the military to mega-dollar business-jets, ultralights, pilot-training companies, and gadget manufacturers. If it has something to do with aviation, it's here somewhere.

AirVenture People
EAA AirVenture is an annual rite for many people, especially EAA members. Some pilots have participated every year for more than 40 years-they're the ones who talk about the days back in Rockford, Illinois, where the convention was held before it moved to Oshkosh in the 1970s. But what makes it so special that they keep coming back?

That's easy-the airplanes, the people, and the excitement in the air.

Oshkosh is a showcase for meticulously cared for antique, classic, and homebuilt airplanes-some 10,000 of them. Some are rare; some are special only to their owners. The pilots who bring their airplanes proudly share their hard work with an appreciative crowd, a group who loves airplanes as much as they do and who thinks nothing of spending 2,000 hours to make one perfect. Of course, there are plenty of military airplanes to admire, air show performers to marvel at, and the latest-and-greatest New Airplane XP-2000 to ponder.

Then there are the people-more than 750,000 each year. EAA is a big family of aviation-minded kin who make fast friends with other airplane folks. They form neighborhoods that reappear every year in the campgrounds, they reunite with long-lost friends, and they volunteer their time to make sure the event runs without a hitch.

Then there's the buzz. This year, EAA pays special attention to what lies ahead for the world of flight, along with recognizing the innovations that have led aviation to today's achievements. EAA AirVenture Oshkosh has always been a home for aviation innovation, and it serves as an inspiration for those who see untapped potential in personal flight. Through the years, many unique designs have debuted at the event. In addition, the people behind the advancements have been welcomed to share their knowledge and inspire others in more than 500 educational forums, seminars, and workshops that are held during the week.

Many have tried, but it's literally impossible to see everything in one day, much less a week. So if you want to enjoy your time in Oshkosh-don't try. Pace yourself, and focus on what interests you. That's why we've compiled the sample EAA AirVenture Itineraries for history buffs, airplane builders and owners, gadget and gizmo shoppers, airplane enthusiasts, and aviation visionaries. If you need some advice, take our suggestions. If not, chart your own course with the Info Guide, a pocket-size directory of everything that's going on for the seven days of EAA AirVenture that's included with this program. You'll find exhibitor locations, forum schedules, and speaker listings that will help you organize your day. No matter what your interest, you'll find plenty of ways to occupy yourself. And no doubt you'll also find plenty of reasons to come back next year for more.

History Repeats Itself
EAA AirVenture suggestions for the aviation historian
If your idea of a good time involves historical documentaries about aviation, EAA AirVenture gives you the chance to direct your own. That's because Wittman Regional Airport becomes a walking, talking, breathing history lesson, with famous pilots and airplanes you'd normally only see on television. Here are just a few of this year's highlights to help you plan your visit.

Start by visiting the warbirds area, to see historic World War II-, Korea-, and Vietnam-era military aircraft painstakingly restored to flying condition. Twice a day, you'll want to stop back to attend the Warbirds in Review program, an informal presentation on a military aircraft by the pilots who flew them. You could also join Ethel Finley's forum on World War II's Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs), or attend Col. Charles E. McGee's discussion of his experience as one of the Tuskegee Airmen. And you'll probably also find Bill Zierdt's description of the development of armed helicopters fascinating, too, along with Martin Hollman's presentations on the history of jet and rocket aircraft.

If your tastes lean more toward historic passenger aircraft, consider taking a flight in EAA's 1929 Ford Tri-Motor for a seat-of-the-pants look at the early days of airline travel. Check out the airplanes on AeroShell Square, too-especially the Lockheed Super Constellation. You can even attend a presentation on the history of U.S. Airmail-the predecessor of the airlines-at the museum's Vette Theater. Take your time while you're at the museum. Not only is it cool and refreshing, but you'll also get to see aircraft you'd be hard-pressed to find anywhere else, including a replica Curtiss P-6E Hawk and the XP-51 Mustang.

If the sight-and sound-of a big radial engine gives you goose bumps, you'll love the restored aircraft in Vintage/Antique parking. We've also scheduled forums on radial engines that describe their history from World War I through the golden age of flight in the 1930s.

Some Assembly Required
Suggestions for the airplane builder and pilot
If you're a homebuilder or aircraft owner, attending EAA AirVenture is like having your own quick-build airplane-ownership kit. With programs on building, owning, operating, and maintaining your aircraft, you'll learn everything you need to know to get the most out of your aircraft and your aviation adventure. Here are just a few highlights to help you plan your days in Oshkosh.

If you're just getting started building your airplane, attending the workshops on welding, composites, wing-rib construction, and sheet-metal forming will help you learn the necessary skills. Stop by the Aeroplane Factory to watch EAA volunteers turn little bits of airplane into big pieces. A full slate of forums will also fill you full of more how-to, including designing an aircraft panel, spray painting basics, determining the weight and balance for your aircraft, basic electrical wiring, motor mount design, and the do's and don'ts of epoxy resin. Special programs offer advice for choosing the right homebuilt for you and homebuilding for women, and maintenance programs offer advice on owner-performed maintenance, maintaining your Continental or Rotax engine, and dealing with the special needs of aging aircraft.

If you're almost finished with your project, you'll find interesting the EAA forums on registering a homebuilt, preparing it for final inspection by the FAA, keeping maintenance records, and preparing to fly it. Several forums are also scheduled to help you conduct the test flights of your new airplane.

If you're flying a completed homebuilt or a certificated production aircraft, there are plenty of forums just for you-and the FAA has an entire forum building dedicated to pilot safety seminars. Presentations include learning to fly, an introduction to trikes, and Hangar Flying with Rod Machado.

Plan to stop by the Federal pavilion. There, aviation-related government agencies from Canada, the United States, and the Bahamas will show you what they do to make your flying safer and more enjoyable. Featured agencies include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking (SARSAT) System, the FAA's National Aeronautical Charting Office (NACO), the Transportation Security Administration, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

And don't forget the exhibitors. If you've got a question-or you need a certain doodad, or you want to try an airplane on for size-you'll find a bunch of people out there happy to help you out.

Marketplace of Ideas
Suggestions for the aviation shopper
If you're looking for a sweet deal, EAA AirVenture is the place to find it, whether you're looking for new avionics for your airplane, a complete set of tools, a learn-to-fly computerized ground school course, or even a book on your favorite aviation esoterica. If you're coming to Oshkosh to invest your hard-earned money in aviation goods and services, here are a few suggestions for the savvy shopper.

A number of EAA AirVenture forums are dedicated to selecting equipment, including datalink receivers, flat-panel instruments, integrated flight instrumentation, radios, Stormscopes, and noise-reduction headsets. After the forums, stop by the exhibit halls to learn more about the latest equipment. Ask questions, and get a course on the knobology of the gear you're interested in, from handheld GPS receivers to fully integrated flat-panel cockpit instrumentation. Some manufacturers, including Garmin, even offer free seminars on using their products-you can't buy that kind of education.

Don't forget the static displays. Regardless of what you're looking for-a trike, a powered parachute, a light-sport airplane, a personal computer aviation training device for instrument training, or, heck, even a $5 million business jet-you'll actually get to compare several devices side-by-side. And if you're looking for deals, check out the bulletin boards around the grounds-you might find a nearly perfect airplane for the perfect price.

Lastly, if you're looking for something really hard to find, don't forget the Aeromart, EAA's aviation flea market. At the very least, you might find something to decorate that aviation-themed recreation room you've got in mind back home.

For the Fun of It
Suggestions for the aviation enthusiast
Who cares if you're not ready to learn to fly, buy your own airplane, or-for goodness sakes-turn your garage into an airplane factory. If you look up when an airplane flies over, then you're among friends at EAA AirVenture. You'll have so much cool aviation stuff to look at and learn about that you won't understand how other people could spend their days with just one airplane.

If you love looking at airplanes, the best way to get your fix is by walking the flightline-from warbirds to ultralights. Be sure to stop by AeroShell Square, too-that's where the "special guest" airplanes park, including current military fighters and transport airplanes from the U.S. Air Force, Marines, and Navy.

No aviation enthusiast in his or her right mind would miss a chance to see Gen. Chuck Yeager talk about breaking the sound barrier, or Lt. Col. Lars Hoffman talk about flying the U-2 spy plane, or even Joe Duff, an ultralight pilot from Operation Migration, talk about leading young endangered whooping cranes on their fall migration. All three will appear at the Vette Theater at the EAA AirVenture Museum.

But don't forget to be back for the afternoon air show, or you'll miss some of the best pilots in the world doing things in airplanes you didn't know were possible. Even the warbirds get in the act-several times this week they'll do their signature formation flyby-wave after wave of throbbing engines that's as AirVenture as you can get.

If the idea of learning to fly is lurking somewhere in the back of your mind, you owe it to yourself to stop by the EAA Sport Pilot Center. There, you'll learn about a new FAA pilot certificate that's all about fun flying that will take only half the time and less than half the cost of a current pilot certificate. Plus, you'll see airplanes specifically designed for those new pilots. It shouldn't take much imagination to see yourself in one of those.